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Cannabis

Please note (As of July 2023): The Department of Taxes has updated this webpage to reflect changes to Vermont law.

Getting Started

Businesses producing or selling recreational cannabis or cannabis products in Vermont may be subject to some, or all of the tax types listed below. Select a tax type to learn more about the tax and to find out which taxes apply to you:

See the Vermont Cannabis Tax Guide for more in-depth information about the topics covered here.

Download the Vermont Cannabis Tax Guide (pdf)

Registering Your Cannabis Business

Be sure to acquire the proper license and certification authorizing you to collect taxes applicable to your business structure. Before you begin operations, a business will need to perform these tasks in this order:

Step 1. Request a Good Standing Certificate

Request good standing certification from the Department of Taxes by sending an email with the following information to tax.compliancesupport@vermont.gov:

  • Your business name
  • ID (SSN or FEIN)
  • include “Good standing request for Cannabis license” in the subject line.

Step 2. Obtain a License from the Cannabis Control Board

Submit your application and pay the application fee through the Cannabis Control Board’s (CCB) website.

Cultivators Only: Obtain a Cultivator’s License from the Cannabis Control Board and any Applicable Permits

Any cannabis cultivation, drying, or processing must be done with a cultivator’s license issued by the Cannabis Control Board. Submit your application and pay your application fee through the Cannabis Control Board’s (CCB) website.

Step 3. Register for a Business Tax Account

Register for your business tax account with the Department of Taxes to ensure the necessary tax accounts are set up. You will need a separate business tax account for each tax type. Registration is free.

A business can register for multiple tax accounts at the same time. Cannabis retailers and integrated licensees need to register for both cannabis excise tax and sales and use tax. If you already have a sales and use tax account, you do not need to register for a second account when registering for the cannabis excise tax.

Step 4: Post your License

The Department will provide licenses for cannabis excise tax and sales and use tax which must be prominently displayed at your place of business.

Retail

Once a business has obtained a retail license, retailers may sell cannabis and cannabis products to the public in Vermont to adults 21 years of age and older for off-site consumption.

Products Subject to Tax

The retail sales of the following cannabis and cannabis products are subject to cannabis excise tax, sales tax, and local option tax, where applicable. The retail business making the sale is responsible for collecting these taxes and remitting them to the Department of Taxes.

  • concentrated cannabis
  • edible products
    • Please note food with cannabis is always subject to sales tax, but never subject to meals tax
  • ointments
  • tinctures
  • vape liquids and oil containing cannabis
  • any product that is composed of cannabis and other ingredients and is intended for use or consumption

When filing a sales tax return, a business will need to report sales of cannabis and cannabis products separately from other taxable items, such as merchandise.

Medical

Cannabis is not subject to sales tax when sold by a licensed medical cannabis dispensary to registered qualifying patients directly or through their registered caregivers.

Cultivation

Licensed cannabis cultivators may legally grow cannabis for use by licensed cannabis manufacturers and licensed cannabis retailers.

Sales Tax on Purchases

The following items are generally subject to tax when purchased by a cannabis cultivator:

  • All parts of the plant Cannabis sativa L. which include:
    • seeds
    • resin extracted from any part of the plant
    • compound, manufacture, salt, derivative, mixture, or preparation of the plant, its seeds, or resin
    • machinery and equipment that will be used primarily for cannabis cultivation

Exception for Licensed Cultivators who Cultivate Outdoors

The sales tax exemptions for agricultural supplies, agricultural machinery and equipment, and compost are available to a cannabis cultivator making a purchase from a retailer when: (1) the purchaser is a licensed cultivator (2) who cultivates outdoors.

Current Use

Land and buildings that qualify for the Current Use Program, also known as the Use Value Appraisal Program, are subject to property taxes at a reduced per acre “use value” rate. If all other requirements of the Current Use Program are met, agricultural land and buildings used for cannabis cultivation, drying, and processing may be enrolled as long as (1) cultivation and processing is done by a cultivator licensed by the Cannabis Control Board and (2) some amount of cultivation occurs outdoors.

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Contact Us

For additional information or assistance, please contact us at tax.business@vermont.gov or call (802) 828-2551.